'Chap. 26 about Charity. 237 _f kindred and friends, and thegodly in the firft place. We muftalfohave refpecl to chofe, who by Providence arefirft cart upon us, who thereby feem by God himfelf to be preferred before others, Luk. 10.33. r. Again, the wholeChurch and Common -wealth is tobe preferred even be- fore our telues if therebe fuch a neceffity : for its better that one member pe- rith, then char the wholebe deftroyed : therefore the Primitive Chriftiansfold all they had to relieve the common neceffity. 2. Wemuff take care to provideneceffarmes for our Selves : For charity begins at home : then for out fecond felves, our wives : then forour Parents. Contrary reproved, =roar. 7. rx 1 z, then for our children, and the ref} of the family 5.8. thenour fpiritual kindred, except our kindred in the fefh be godly alto, and then they a-e tobe preferred, Gal. 6.10. 1 john 3.1.7. Ram. 12. 13. Mar. xo. 41. and 2 5.4o. So David, Pfal. 16. 3. Then our Benefaifo-s, to whom weformerly havebeen beholding, zCor. 8.14 Prov. 18.'24. Then to our kindred in the flefh, Gen. 29. 13, 14. Then common friends and neigh- bours : For Prov. 27.1o. Bettcr rs aneighbour that isnear, then a brother afar Thenour Countreymen, andRangers, Lev.25.35. Rom.t2.1 3. Heb.13.z. Gen. x8.. and ly.2.Ifpa" .58.7..-4ae.z5.35 Deut.15.7iI I. Then it mull extend to our very enemies, R. m.12.20. '2 Kings 6.22. Quell. Inwhat manner may we moll convenientlydiflribate our alme ? Anfw. Aimes are, either morepublick andcommon, or more private and particular. Firll, in the former, our bet} courfe is to follow the Lawes and Cuftomes of our Countrey. Secondly, for our private almes, we may give them to fuch poor, as upon enquirywe have found out to be bone(} and needy : or elfe to fuch others, as God by a more immediate Providence doth unexpe tediie prevent to us. Queft. what may be thought of giving aimes at our doors ? Anfw. Ir cannotbecondemned, till the good Lawes made, be put in execu- tion, for the reformationof this difo:der ; yet wich thefe cautions. Firft, the whole fiream of our charity mull not run that way. Secondly, we mull give to fuch as are in apparent mifery, as to theaged, de- crepid, lame, blinde, &c. not to idlevagrants and common beggars : and that for thefe reafons. a. Becaufe they which are truly poor, will by this meanes benegleemted;vhileft idle dronesdevour that which belongs to them. 2. Hereby the bold and impudent will often fpeed better then the mode(} and fhamefaft. 3. Our almes (hall by this meanes be diftriburedunequally ; fome having all, and others none, neither can they be fitted to the quantity or quality of their wants. 4. Such giving encreafeth the number of idle vagrants, encouragingthem to continue in their wicked courfes, without any feare of God, or fubjeEtion unto men. 5 It crofíth Gods Ordinance, whowouldnot have a beggar in Ifrael,Dent. 15.4. Proclaimingboth the negligence of Magi(irates innot reforming this dtforder, and the hard heartedneffe of private perforas, who through the want of mercy and co:npalfion, thruft their neighbours into fuch finful courfes. 6. Hereby thofe excellent Lawes, which are made to prevent fuch difor- ders are tranfgreffcd, and fo theChrif}ian Magiftrate:,is julily offended. Qaeft. VVhat are we to judge of fuch almes as are given by men at their death? H h 3 Anfw.
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